Apple iPhone Owners Face 'Crippled' Messaging: DOJ Demands iMessage Changes

The U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust case against Apple remains active in federal court, but a new filing demanding that Apple dismantle iMessage has not been verified. The lawsuit was filed March 21, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging Apple illegally maintained smartphone-market power through restrictions affecting messaging, app access, digital wallets, smartwatches and other services. DOJ specifically alleged that Apple degraded cross-platform messaging, including green-bubble conversations, reduced video quality and weaker security. Apple denied wrongdoing and argued its ecosystem protects privacy, security and innovation. On June 30, 2025, Judge Julien Neals rejected Apple’s motion to dismiss, allowing the government’s claims to proceed without deciding liability. Apple’s 2026 regulatory filing says the lawsuit remains pending. Recent August 2026 reporting instead concerns discovery disputes involving federal-agency records, not a new iMessage injunction. The supplied story therefore mixes genuine allegations with outdated and unsupported procedural claims.